Hypercoagulability following blunt solid abdominal organ injury: when to initiate anticoagulation

Background

The optimal time to initiate venous thromboembolism pharmacoprophylaxis after blunt abdominal solid organ injury is unknown.

Methods

Postinjury coagulation status was characterized using thromboelastography (TEG) in trauma patients with blunt abdominal solid organ injuries; TEG was divided into 12-hour intervals up to 72 hours.

Results

Forty-two of 304 patients (13.8%) identified underwent multiple postinjury thromboelastographic studies. Age (P = .45), gender (P = .45), and solid organ injury grade (P = .71) were similar between TEG and non-TEG patients. TEG patients had higher Injury Severity Scores compared with non-TEG patients (33.2 vs 18.3, respectively, P < .01). Among the TEG patients, the shear elastic modulus strength and maximum amplitude values began in the normal range within the first 12-hour interval after injury, increased linearly, and crossed into the hypercoagulable range at 48 hours (15.1 ± 1.9 Kd/cs and 57.6 ± 1.6 mm, respectively; P < .01, analysis of variance).

Conclusions

Patients sustaining blunt abdominal solid organ injuries transition to a hypercoagulable state approximately 48 hours after injury. In the absence of contraindications, pharmacoprophylaxis should be considered before this time for effective venous thromboembolism prevention.     

Acute coagulopathy in a porcine venous hemorrhage and ischemia reperfusion model

Background

Injury-related coagulopathy is a complex process. We analyzed coagulation in a swine model of shock using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM).

Methods

Forty-eight swine underwent laparotomy, 35% hemorrhage, supraceliac aortic cross-clamp, then reperfusion and resuscitation. ROTEM measurements and standard labs were taken at baseline and 6 hours into resuscitation.

Results

Clot formation time (98 vs 53 seconds, P = .001) and international normalized ratio (1.67 vs 1.01, P < .001) were prolonged after resuscitation. Maximum clot firmness (61 vs 72 mm, P < .001) and fibrinogen levels (94 vs 165, P < .001) declined significantly during resuscitation. Despite decreased fibrinogen levels, there was no significant increase in fibrinolysis as measured by maximum lysis (3.9% vs 3.8%, P = .99).

Conclusions

ROTEM demonstrated the development of an acute coagulopathy. The most significant impacts on coagulopathy were seen with clot initiation and fibrin polymerization. Clot strength decreased over time, although there was little impact on clot breakdown because of fibrinolysis.     

Utility of a microwave surgical instrument in sealing lymphatic vessels

Background

This study assessed the ability of a novel microwave coagulation surgical instrument (MWCX) to seal lymphatic vessels when compared with LigaSure (Valleylab, Boulder, CO), the Harmonic Scalpel (HS; Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH), and electric cautery.

Methods

The burst pressure of pig inguinal lymphatic vessels was assessed after the sealing of vessels with each surgical instrument. The rate of lymphorrhea from pig mesenteric lymphatic vessels was also investigated using indocyanine green and visualized with the Photodynamic Eye system (Hamamatsu Hotoniks, Hamamatsu, Japan).

Results

Burst pressures were higher with MWCX (average, 300 mm Hg), LigaSure (average, 290 mm Hg), and HS (average, 253 mm Hg) when compared with electric cautery (average, 152.3 mm Hg; vs MWCX: P = .002, vs LigaSure: P = .002, vs HS: P = .004). The rate of lymphorrhea was significantly lower with LigaSure (13.3%), HS (18.8%), and MWCX (13.3%) when compared with electric cautery (77.3%; vs LigaSure: P < .001, vs HS: P < .001, vs MWCX: P < .001).

Conclusions

MWCX was equivalent to LigaSure and HS in terms of the ability to seal lymphatic vessels.     

Splenectomy leads to a persistent hypercoagulable state after trauma

Background

It was hypothesized that splenectomy following trauma results in hypercoagulability.

Methods

A prospective, nonrandomized, single-center study was performed to evaluate coagulation parameters in trauma patients with splenic injury.

Results

Patients with splenectomy (n = 30) and nonoperative management (n = 50) were enrolled. Splenectomy patients were older, had higher Injury Severity Scores, and had longer intensive care unit and hospital stays (P < .05). Splenectomy patients had significantly increased white blood cell counts and platelet counts at baseline and follow-up (P < .01). Fibrinogen was initially elevated in both groups and remained elevated in the splenectomy group (P < .05). Tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and activated partial thromboplastin time were higher in splenectomy patients only at baseline (P < .05). Baseline thromboelastography showed faster fibrin cross-linking and enhanced fibrinolysis following splenectomy (P < .05). Only clot strength was greater at follow-up in the splenectomy group (P < .01). Deep venous thrombosis developed in 7% of splenectomy patients and no control patients (P = .03).

Conclusions

A significant difference in deep venous thrombosis formation was noted, and coagulation assays indicated persistent hypercoagulability following splenectomy for trauma.     

Complete cervical spinal cord injury above C6 predicts the need for tracheostomy

Background

Failed extubation and delayed tracheostomy contribute to poor outcomes in patients with a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). We determined if the level and completeness of SCI predict the need for tracheostomy.

Methods

Data from 256 patients with SCI between C1 and T3 with or without tracheostomy were retrospectively analyzed. Logistic regression identified predictors for tracheostomy. Data are presented as raw percentage or odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval. P < .05 indicates significance.

Results

Complete spinal cord injuries were common in patients requiring tracheostomy (55% vs 18%, P < .05), and predicted the need for tracheostomy (OR: 6.4 (3.1 to 13.5), P < .05). An injury above C6 predicted the need for tracheostomy in patients with complete injury (OR: 3.7 (1 to 11.9), P < .05), but not incomplete injury (OR: .7 (.3 to 1.9); P = .53).

Conclusion

Tracheostomy is unlikely in patients with incomplete SCI, regardless of the level of injury. Patients with complete SCI above C6 are likely to require tracheostomy.     

Significance of Postoperative Changes in Hemodynamics and Biochemical Indices in Pediatric Recipients of Live-Donor Liver Transplants

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative changes in hemodynamics and biochemical indices in pediatric recipients of live-donor liver transplants (LDLT).

Methods

Hemodynamics and biochemical indices (coagulation function, electrolytes, kidney function, liver function, and blood analysis) were monitored on the day before and the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days after the procedure in 20 children who underwent LDLT from June 2006 to January 2009.

Results

Compared with preoperative measurements, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure increased and prothrombin time was prolonged significantly during the first 7 days after LDLT (P < .05). Fibrinogen, platelet count, total protein, globulin, and blood magnesium decreased significantly (P < .05). Liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT]) and blood sodium increased significantly; serum potassium and calcium declined on the first postoperative day (P < .05). On the 7th day, AST returned to nearly normal (P < .05) and ALT returned to the preoperative levels. Blood urea nitrogen fluctuated within the normal range (P < .05). Total and direct bilirubin decreased on the 1st day but returned to near normal levels on the 7th day (P <.001).

Conclusions

Our data demonstrated postoperative changes in hemodynamics, electrolytes, and biochemical indices in pediatric LDLT recipients. The changes in clotting factors and platelet count did not result in severe coagulation function disorder; kidney function was normal. Changes in liver enzymes and bilirubin compared with the preoperation indices were within the regulatory scope of liver and did not result in severe complications. These preliminary postoperative trends suggest that further prospective evaluation is needed.     

Use of dextran sulfate in tourniquet-induced skeletal muscle reperfusion injury

Background

Lower extremity ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI)—prolonged ischemia and the subsequent restoration of circulation—may result from thrombotic occlusion, embolism, trauma, or tourniquet application in surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low-molecular-weight dextran sulfate (DXS) on skeletal muscle IRI.

Methods

Rats were subjected to 3 h of ischemia and 2 or 24 h of reperfusion. To induce ischemia the femoral artery was clamped and a tourniquet placed under the maintenance of the venous return. DXS was injected systemically 10 min before reperfusion. Muscle and lung tissue samples were analyzed for deposition of immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, C1q, C3b/c, fibrin, and expression of vascular endothelial-cadherin and bradykinin receptors b1 and b2.

Results

Antibody deposition in reperfused legs was reduced by DXS after 2 h (P < 0.001, IgM and IgG) and 24 h (P < 0.001, IgM), C3b/c deposition was reduced in muscle and lung tissue (P < 0.001), whereas C1q deposition was reduced only in muscle (P < 0.05). DXS reduced fibrin deposits in contralateral legs after 24 h of reperfusion but did not reduce edema in muscle and lung tissue or improve muscle viability. Bradykinin receptor b1 and vascular endothelial-cadherin expression were increased in lung tissue after 24 h of reperfusion in DXS-treated and non-treated rats but bradykinin receptor b2 was not affected by IRI.

Conclusions

In contrast to studies in myocardial infarction, DXS did not reduce IRI in this model. Neither edema formation nor viability was improved, whereas deposition of complement and coagulation components was significantly reduced. Our data suggest that skeletal muscle IRI may not be caused by the complement or coagulation alone, but the kinin system may play an important role.     

Neuroprotective effects of progesterone in traumatic brain injury: blunted in vivo neutrophil activation at the blood-brain barrier

Background

Progesterone (PRO) may confer a survival advantage in traumatic brain injury (TBI) by reducing cerebral edema. We hypothesized that PRO reduces edema by blocking polymorphonuclear (PMN) interactions with endothelium (EC) in the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Methods

CD1 mice received repeated PRO (16 mg/kg intraperitoneally) or vehicle (cyclodextrin) for 36 hours after TBI. Sham animals underwent craniotomy without TBI. The modified Neurological Severity Score graded neurologic recovery. A second craniotomy allowed in vivo observation of pial EC/PMN interactions and vascular macromolecule leakage. Wet/dry ratios assessed cerebral edema.

Results

Compared with the vehicle, PRO reduced subjective cerebral swelling (2.9 ± .1 vs 1.2 ± .1, P < .001), PMN rolling (95 ± 1.8 vs 57 ± 2.0 cells/100 μm/min, P < .001), total EC/PMN adhesion (2.0 ± .4 vs .8 ± .1 PMN/100 μm, P < .01), and vascular permeability (51.8% ± 4.9% vs 27.1% ± 4.6%, P < .01). TBI groups had similar a Neurological Severity Score and cerebral wet/dry ratios (P > .05).

Conclusions

PRO reduces live pericontusional EC/PMN and BBB macromolecular leakage after TBI. Direct PRO effects on the microcirculation warrant further investigation.     

Cathétérisme veineux jugulaire interne : quelle est la meilleure voie d’abord ?

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare two approaches used for internal jugular venous cannulation: the anterior way, described by English et al. and the posterior way, described by Jernigan et al. The primary endpoint was the rate of success. The secondary endpoints were the related adverse events and the difficulty factors.

Study design

Prospective, randomized open clinical trial.

Patients and methods

The study took place in the vital emergency room, the operating room and the emergency intensive care unit of Ibn Sina University hospital (Rabat, Morocco), between June and September 2010. Hundred and one patients needing a central venous catheter were randomized to undergo one of the two techniques. We compared: demographics, success rates, number of attempts, difficulty factors and adverse events.

Results

The success rate was significantly higher in the posterior group (96% versus 68%, P < 0.001), with fewer attempts (1.3 ± 0.7 versus 2.1 ± 1.3; P < 0.001). There were less pneumothorax, (0 versus 6%) and more accidental arterial punctures (34 versus 25.5%) in the posterior group, but the difference wasn’t significant. Finally, none of the difficulty factors were correlated to the failure rate.

Conclusion

This study shows that the posterior approach in internal jugular venous cannulation is more efficient than and as safe as the anterior approach.     

An experimental model of hemothorax autotransfusion: impact on coagulation

Background

Traumatic hemothorax (HTX) has been demonstrated to predictably contain low fibrinogen, low hematocrit, and low platelet counts. When analyzed on its own, shed HTX demonstrates coagulopathy. However, when mixed with normal pooled plasma (NPP) at physiologically relevant dilutions, HTX demonstrates accelerated coagulation. We hypothesize that when HTX is mixed with a patient's own plasma, the mixture will demonstrate hypercoagulability. The accelerated coagulation of this mixture would have important implications for the autotransfusion of HTX as a method of resuscitating a trauma patient.

Methods

Adult trauma patients from whom greater than 140 mL of HTX was evacuated within 1 hour of tube thoracostomy were included. HTX was sampled at 1 hour after evacuation, and a portion of the sample was centrifuged and stored as frozen plasma for later analysis. The remainder of the sample was analyzed (coagulation, hematology, electrolytes), and values were compared with concurrent venous values extracted via chart review. A citrate tube containing the patient's venous blood was additionally spun down and frozen for subsequent mixing study analysis. Coagulation was further evaluated by mixing serial dilutions of the previously frozen HTX with NPP. Additionally, the previously frozen HTX was mixed in serial dilutions with the previously frozen sample of patient plasma (PTP).

Results

Subjects (10) were enrolled based on inclusion criteria and collection of a discarded venous sample. In HTX samples analyzed alone, no thrombus was formed in any coagulation test (activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT] > 180). The median aPTT value of PTP alone was 25.5. In 1-hour specimens mixed at a clinically relevant dilution of 1:4, HTX mixed with NPP had a mediana PTT value of 26.0, whereas HTX mixed with PTP had a median aPTT value of 21.7. Thus, the mixture of HTX + PTP demonstrated a statistically significantly lower aPTT than the mixture of HTX + NPP (P = 0.01). Additionally, the mixture of HTX and PTP shows a statistically significantly lower aPTT value than PTP alone (P = 0.03), indicating a hypercoagulable state.

Conclusions

HTX demonstrates coagulopathy when analyzed independently, but is hypercoagulable when mixed with NPP or PTP. Furthermore, mixing studies show a statistically significantly lower aPTT when HTX is mixed with PTP versus HTX mixed with NPP. Thus, autotransfusion of HTX would likely produce a hypercoagulable state in vivo, and should not be used in place of other blood products to resuscitate a trauma patient. The autotransfusion of HTX may, however, be of use in a resource-limited environment where other blood products are not available.     

In vivo leukocyte-mediated brain microcirculatory inflammation: a comparison of osmotherapies and progesterone in severe traumatic brain injury

Background

Mannitol, hypertonic saline, and progesterone may blunt leukocyte recruitment after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesized that progesterone reduces pericontusional recruitment of leukocytes to a greater extent than either osmotherapy a day after TBI.

Methods

CD1 mice underwent controlled cortical impact and were treated with osmotherapy (mannitol and hypertonic saline) or progesterone. Thirty-two hours after TBI, live pial microscopy was used to evaluate leukocyte–endothelial interactions and immunohistochemistry was used for the detection of pericontusional tissue polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Neurologic recovery was assessed before sacrifice.

Results

Mannitol resulted in the lowest in vivo leukocyte recruitment compared with progesterone (795 ± 282 vs 1,636 ± 434 LEU/100 μm/minutes, P < .05). Mannitol also displayed lower tissue accumulation of leukocytes as compared with progesterone (5.7 ± 1.7 vs 15.2 ± .1 LEU/mm², P = .03). However, progesterone resulted in better neurologic recovery than either osmotherapy.

Conclusions

Leukocyte recruitment to injured brain is lowest with mannitol administration. How different agents alter progression of secondary brain injury will require further evaluation in humans.     

Improving postoperative handover: a prospective observational study

Background

The information provided during the postoperative handover influences the delivery of care of patients in the postoperative recovery unit through their care on the ward. There is a need for a structured and systematic approach to postoperative handover. The aim of this study was to improve postoperative handover through the implementation of a new handover protocol, which involved a handover proforma and standardization of the handover process.

Methods

This prospective pre-post intervention study demonstrated the improvement in postoperative handover through standardization. There was a significant reduction in information omissions and task errors and improvement in communication and teamwork with the new handover protocol.

Results

There was a significant reduction in overall information omissions from 9 to 3 (P < .001) omissions per handover and task errors from 2.8 to .8 (P < .001) with the new handover protocol. Teamwork and nurses' satisfaction score significantly improved from a median of 3 to 4 (P < .001) and median of 4 to 5 (P < .001). Duration of handover decreased from a median of 8 to 7 minutes (P < .376).

Conclusions

The study demonstrates that standardization of postoperative handover improved communication and teamwork and reduced information omissions and task errors. There was an improvement in the quality of the handover after the introduction of the new handover protocol, which was easy and simple to use.     

Physiology and cardiovascular effect of severe tension pneumothorax in a porcine model

Background

Pneumothoraces are relatively common among trauma patients and can rapidly progress to tension physiology and death if not identified and treated. We sought to develop a reliable and reproducible large animal model of tension pneumothorax and to examine the cardiovascular effects during progression from simple pneumothorax to tension pneumothorax.

Materials and methods

Ten swine were intubated, sedated, and placed on mechanical ventilation. After a midline celiotomy, a 10-mm balloon-tipped laparoscopic trocar was placed through the diaphragm, and a 28F chest tube was placed in the standard position and clamped. Thoracic insufflation was performed in 5-mm increments, and continuous cardiovascular measurements were obtained.

Results

Mean insufflation pressures of 10 mm Hg were associated with a 67% decrease in cardiac output (6.6 L/min versus 2.2 l/min; P = 0.04). An additional increase in the insufflation pressure (mean 15 mm Hg) was associated with an 82% decrease in cardiac output from baseline (6.8 versus 1.2 L/min; P < 0.01). Increasing insufflation pressures were associated with a corresponding increase in central venous pressure (from 7.6 mm Hg to 15.2 mm Hg; P < 0.01) and a simultaneous decrease in the pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (from 15 mm Hg to 12 mm Hg; P = 0.06), with the central venous pressure and pulmonary artery diastolic pressure approaching equalization immediately before the development of major hemodynamic decline. Pulseless electrical activity arrest was induced at an average of 20 mm Hg. Tension physiology was immediately reversible with adequate decompression, allowing for multiple repeated trials.

Conclusions

A reliable and highly reproducible model was created for severe tension pneumothorax in a large animal. Major cardiovascular instability proceeding to pulseless electrical activity arrest with stepwise insufflation was noted. This model could be highly useful for studying new diagnostic and treatment modalities for tension pneumothorax.     

Microwave coagulation therapy and drug injection to treat splenic injury

Background

The present study compares the efficacy of 915- and 2450-MHz contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)–guided percutaneous microwave coagulation with that of CEUS-guided thrombin injection for the treatment of trauma-induced spleen hemorrhage.

Materials and methods

In a canine splenic artery hemorrhage model with two levels of arterial diameter (A, <1 mm and B, between 1 and 2 mm), hemostatic therapy was performed using 915- and 2450-MHz microwaves and drug injection. Therapy efficacy was measured by comparing bleeding rate, hemostatic time, bleeding index, bleeding volume, and pathology.

Results

The most efficient technique was CEUS-guided 915-MHz percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy in terms of action time and total blood loss. The success rate of the 915-MHz microwave group was higher than that of the 2450-MHz microwave and the drug injection groups (except A level, P < 0.05). Hemostatic time, bleeding index, and bleeding volume were significantly less in the 915-MHz microwave group than those in the 2450-MHz microwave and drug injection groups (P < 0.05). Obvious degeneration and necrosis of parenchyma and large intravascular thrombosis were observed in the cavity of larger vessels in the 915-MHz microwave group, but pathologic changes of light injury could be seen in the other groups.

Conclusions

The present study provides evidence that microwave coagulation therapy is more efficient than thrombin injection for the treatment of splenic hemorrhage. Furthermore, treatment with 915-MHz microwaves stops bleeding more rapidly and generates a wider cauterization zone than does treatment with 2450-MHz microwaves.     

Regional recurrence in the era of sentinel lymph node biopsy

Background

The incidence of all-location regional recurrence after sentinel lymph node biopsy is not well documented. This study attempts to identify risk factors.

Methods

A prospectively maintained database was queried to identify patients with a regional recurrence of breast cancer after a first operation for invasive unilateral breast cancer. Patients with regional recurrence were compared with those alive and disease free at 5 years.

Results

Twenty-one of 1,060 patients (2%) experienced a regional recurrence. Most patients (95%) underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy as their axillary staging. Those with regional recurrences had larger tumors (P < .001), higher stage disease (P < .001), more estrogen receptor– and triple-negative breast cancers (P < .001), and more positive lymph nodes (P = .007). Mastectomy (P = .001) and receipt of neoadjuvant and/or chemotherapy (P < .001) were more common among those with regional recurrences.

Conclusions

Regional recurrence of breast cancer occurs infrequently. Risk factors include high-risk cancers, higher stage at presentation, nodal involvement, and need for therapies reflecting higher risk biology.     

A predictive model of early mortality in trauma patients

Background

Rapid thrombelastography (rTEG) is a real-time whole-blood viscoelastic coagulation assay. We hypothesized that admission rTEG and clinical data are independent predictors of trauma-related mortality.

Methods

Prospective observational data (patient demographics, admission vital signs, laboratory studies, and injury characteristics) from trauma patients enrolled within 6 hours of injury were collected. Mann–Whitney U test and analysis of variance test assessed significance (P ≤ .05). Logistic regression analyses determined the association of the studied variables with 24-hour mortality.

Results

Seven hundred ninety-five trauma patients were enrolled, of which 55 died within 24 hours of admission. Admission variables which independently predicted 24-hour mortality were as follows: Glasgow Coma Scale ≤8, hemoglobin <11 g/dL, international normalized ratio >1.5, Ly30 >8%, and penetrating injury (P < .05). This 5-variable model's area under the receiver operator characteristic curve was .88. The Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was .90.

Conclusions

This 5-variable model provides a rapid prediction of 24-hour mortality. The inclusion of rTEG Ly30 demonstrates the association of fibrinolysis with outcome and may support the early use of antifibrinolytic therapies.     

Combination of antithrombin and recombinant thrombomodulin attenuates leukocyte–endothelial interaction and suppresses the increase of intrinsic damage–associated molecular patterns in endotoxemic rats

Introduction

Both antithrombin (AT) and thrombomodulin are key players in physiological anticoagulant systems. Because the levels of both factors are known to decrease significantly during severe sepsis, we hypothesized that a combination therapy would be effective.

Methods

A sepsis model was established using the intravenous infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A dose of 125 IU/kg of AT, 0.25 mg/kg of recombinant thrombomodulin, or a combination of both agents was injected immediately after LPS infusion (n = 7, each). Intravital observation of the mesenteric microcirculation was performed, and leukocyte adhesion and blood flow were calculated at 3 h after LPS infusion. Immediately after the observation, blood samples were obtained and coagulation markers, organ damage markers, the circulating levels of nucleosome and high-mobility group box 1 were measured.

Results

Microscopic findings revealed the suppression of leukocyte adhesion and thrombus formation in the combination group. The number of adhesive leukocytes on the endothelium was significantly suppressed (P < 0.01), and the blood flow in venules was better maintained in the combination group compared with the placebo control (P < 0.01). The blood samples showed the suppressed activation in coagulation, no significant changes were observed in the organ damage markers in the treatment groups. The circulating levels of nucleosome and high-mobility group box 1 were both decreased significantly in the combination group compared with the placebo control (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The coadministration of AT and recombinant thrombomodulin is effective for the suppression of leukocyte activation and cell death during sepsis.     

Perioperative outcomes after totally robotic gastric bypass: a prospective nonrandomized controlled study

Background

Perioperative short-term outcomes could be improved after totally robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (TR-RYGBP) compared with conventional laparoscopic gastric bypass.

Methods

This is a nonrandomized controlled prospective study (N = 200) to evaluate perioperative short-term outcomes. The primary endpoint was to investigate risk factors for 30-day surgical complications.

Results

Mean total operative time was shorter in patients who underwent TR-RYGBP (130 vs 147 minutes; P < .0001). However, postoperative surgical complications rate (13% vs 1%; P = .001), and mean overall hospital stay (9.3 vs 6.7 days; P < .0001) were higher after TR-RYGBP. By multivariate analysis, robotic surgery (hazard ratio [HR] = 15.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8 to 280; P = .01), and conversion to laparotomy (HR = 18.8; 95% CI, 1.7 to 250.8; P = .014) were independent risk factors for 30-day surgical complications.

Conclusions

Although robotic gastric bypass reduces mean operative time, TR-RYGBP is associated with an increased postoperative surgical complications rate and longer hospitalization.     

Assessment of technical and nontechnical skills in surgical residents

Background

Surgical competence encompasses both technical and nontechnical skills. This study seeks to evaluate the validity evidence for a comprehensive surgical skills examination and to examine the relationship between technical and nontechnical skills.

Methods

Six examination stations assessing both technical and nontechnical skills, conducted yearly for surgical trainees (n = 120) between 2010 and 2014 are included.

Results

The assessment tools demonstrated acceptable internal consistency. Interstation reliability for technical skills was low (alpha = .39). Interstation reliability for the nontechnical skills was lower (alpha range −.05 to .31). Nontechnical skills domains were strongly correlated, ranging from r = .65, P < .001 to .86, P < .001. The associations between nontechnical and technical skills were inconsistent, ranging from poor (r = −.06; P = .54) to moderate (r = .45; P < .001).

Conclusions

Multiple samplings of integrated technical and nontechnical skills are necessary to assess overall surgical competency.